$5 Cruise Passenger Fee in Quintana Roo – Enhancing Tourism Infrastructure

Starting from 2025, the government of Quintana Roo and shipping companies have agreed to implement a five-dollar charge per cruise passenger. The new fee, confirmed by Bernardo Cueto Riestra, head of the State Tourism Secretariat, aims to bolster infrastructure and security in popular destinations such as Cozumel and Mahahual.

The fee has been mutually agreed upon with the shipping companies. A Technical Committee, composed of authorities and sector representatives, has been established to ensure the fee is correctly applied. This committee will also be involved in the approval of projects funded through two trusts planned for 2025. One trust will allocate 98 million pesos for Cozumel, and another will allocate 37 million for the municipality of Othón P. Blanco.

Despite concerns about the new fee, which will be in addition to a charge implemented by the National Institute of Migration (INM) from July 1, 2025, Quintana Roo's ports are expected to remain popular tourist destinations. The appeal of the Caribbean destinations to both companies and visitors is anticipated to continue, despite these changes.

It's worth noting that the five-dollar fee will be applied exclusively to tourists and not to crew members. The fee will be charged upon arrival at the ports of Quintana Roo, irrespective of any additional destinations visited during their cruise.